August 20, 2021 UPDATE
Dear Neighbors,
We are continuing to see an uptick in COVID-19 cases in North Andover. We currently have 58 active cases. For perspective, on August 20, 2020 the Town had only three (3) cases.
Effective Monday August 23, 2021, masks will be required inside of municipal buildings in North Andover. Visitors to Town buildings are required to wear a mask, and employees are required to wear a mask when not in their individual offices. We will re-evaluate this decision on a monthly basis.
Face mask requirements and safety protocols for North Andover’s school buildings will be determined by the School Committee at their meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the North Andover Senior Center (120R Main Street).
We continue to encourage the community to stay diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The delta variant is more transmissible than the original strain but it does not cause more severe disease. All available vaccines are highly effective against all the strains of COVID-19, including the delta variant.
Many of the things that you can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses such as the flu, include:
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Get vaccinated
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If unvaccinated, please wear a face covering or mask whenever in public
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Physical or social distancing whenever in public and as much as possible
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Avoid large gatherings, especially inside
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Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
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Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes
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Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands
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Stay home if you are sick and please keep children home if they have symptoms
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Get tested if you or a family member have any symptoms
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Avoid close contact with others until you get test results back
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Participate in Contact Tracing if you are called
Please join us in stressing this to your family, friends and neighbors. Please do everything you can to keep you and your family safe. The Town of North Andover is monitoring the situation very closely and will notify the community immediately if there are any other changes.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and free. You can find information on where to get a vaccine here: https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/
The State has a FAQ page regarding the vaccine, which is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions
COVID-19 testing at the Stop the Spread sites is free, easy and painless. Please consider getting tested over the next two weeks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 to your family and friends. A list of the sites can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread.
If you get a COVID-19 test for any reason, especially if you are not feeling well then please isolate until you receive your test results. It is also important to isolate yourself from your family members if possible. The majority of the transmission we are seeing is from household contacts. Please be aware and protect your family. These steps are of the utmost importance and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Due to the volume of positive cases across the State of Massachusetts, the Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC) was developed to aid Local Boards of Health in the tracing of close contacts in each community. By answering the call from the CTC, you can do your part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your caller ID will show the call is coming from MA COVID Team with area codes (833) or (857).
The COVID-19 hotline is still available at 978-208-6070. Messages left on this line are sent directly to Town staff and will be answered during regular business hours.
The Town’s COVID site is here: https://sites.google.com/northandoverma.gov/town-of-north-andover-covid-19/home
The best source of guidance and recommendations is the DPH website:
www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.
Questions about the town’s response or about the illness, in general, can be sent to covid19@northandoverma.gov.
We will continue to monitor this situation and will distribute necessary information and guidance.
Best,
Melissa Rodrigues, Esq.
Town Manager
